As DNC Comes to Town, Chicago Uber and Lyft Drivers Launch Campaign for Union Rights
Independent Drivers Guild Urges Riders to Stand with Drivers in New Petition Campaign Launched During DNC
Chicago, IL – As travelers pour into the city for the Democratic National Convention, Chicago Uber and Lyft drivers with the Independent Drivers Guild will greet them with a map of the convention area and a request to stand with drivers in favor of union rights for rideshare workers.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE
Members of the Independent Drivers Guild are distributing thousands of flyers (see below) to riders this week, urging them to sign their petition pledging their support for union rights for rideshare drivers. The campaign launch coincides with the Democratic National Convention, which is expected to bring 50,000 visitors to the city, many of whom will rely on rideshare trips to get around the city, see the sights, and travel to and from the airport.
Most workers have the right to form a union with their coworkers to collectively negotiate for fair pay and working conditions. Uber and Lyft drivers with the Independent Drivers Guild say they deserve the right to a union too – and they are asking both riders and drivers to stand with them in support of union rights for rideshare drivers.
“We hope that our riders, including the elected officials, delegates, and union leaders attending the convention will stand with us and pledge their support for our right to a union and fair working conditions. You can sign our petition at DriversGuild.org/union,” said IDG Illinois organizer Lenny Sanchez.
“As Uber and Lyft drivers, we are unofficial ambassadors for the city of Chicago. In addition to providing rides to our fellow Chicagoans, we’re often the first people visitors meet, providing more than a quarter million rides per day. But unlike other workers, we lack critical protections and a voice to negotiate with the app companies,” added Sanchez. “Uber can turn off our app or cut our pay at any time and that’s not right. That’s why we are fighting for the right to a union. Rideshare drivers deserve the right to a union too so we can negotiate for fair pay, safety improvements and better app policies.”
The city of Chicago encourages all drivers to download the Chicago OEMC App and to sign up for City of Chicago :: Alerts and Notifications. See more on impacted areas and traffic impacts.
The Independent Drivers Guild is the nation’s largest rideshare driver advocacy group that represents and advocates for more than 300,000 drivers across the northeast, IL and FL. We are Uber and Lyft drivers united for a more fair industry. The Guild’s organizing has secured landmark victories that put billions of dollars in the pockets of drivers, including requiring a tipping option in the Uber app and winning the nation’s first livable minimum wage for rideshare drivers in New York City. The Drivers Guild is a non-profit worker center affiliated with the Machinists Union, an AFL-CIO member union, which has represented for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers for more than twenty-five years.
Media contact: Moira@drivinguild.org or call or text Moira at 703-416-9188
